Labor & Delivery – Your Birth Experience

St. John’s Medical Center Birth Center

When labor begins, St. John’s Medical Center is committed to making your birth proceed smoothly and without complication. If you have any special desires for your labor experience, let our staff know and we will do everything in our power to accommodate you.

• What to Expect During Labor
• If you believe you are in labor, call your physician or certified nurse midwife immediately. They can assess your situation and determine whether or not labor has begun. Depending on your signs and symptoms, you may be instructed to come to the Birth Center at St. John’s Medical Center.
• One of our trained nurses will assess you in the triage room, gather your basic health information, and contact your obstetrician or certified nurse midwife.
• If you are in labor, you will immediately be transferred to a private delivery room. If you are not in true labor, you will be sent home with instructions as to when to return.
• Electronic fetal monitoring will be performed to track your labor progress.
• Anesthesiologists are always on call for pain relief. If you would like an unmedicated delivery, let the medical staff know and they will do all in their power to make your labor as comfortable as possible.
• If desired, mirrors and lights are available to help mothers see the birth of their babies.
• Mothers and babies stay together after the birth, provided there were no complications.
• After an uncomplicated vaginal delivery, most mother and babies stay in the hospital for 24-48 hours.

• What to Expect During Cesarean Sections
• Families should arrive at St. John’s two hours before their scheduled C-Section.
• Upon arrival at the Labor and Delivery Unit, you will meet your nurse who will prepare you for your surgery.
• You will have the opportunity to talk with your physician and anesthesia provider before entering the operating room. They will ensure that all of your questions are answered.
• We encourage you to have a partner present during your C-Section. Additional family members may wait in your post-partum room.
• A pediatrician is always present during C-sections and will be available to assess your baby the moment that he or she is born.
• After an uncomplicated C-section, mother mothers and babies stay in the hospital for 48-72 hours.

Expecting the Unexpected

Most deliveries are free from complications. However, if the need arises, our team is trained to handle emergencies with expert care and compassion.